How to Pronounce P, T, and K in a British Accent: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you want to sound natural in a standard southern British English accent (also known as Received Pronunciation or RP), mastering the P, T, and K sounds is essential. These are voiceless consonants that need precise articulation and breath control to sound authentic.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to pronounce P, T, and K correctly, avoid common mistakes, and practise these sounds in words and sentences.
How to Pronounce P, T, and K in a British Accent
P, T, and K are all plosive consonants. This means they’re made by briefly blocking the airflow in your mouth, building a little pressure, and then releasing it suddenly.
/p/: Lips pressed together, then released (e.g. pen).
/t/: Tip of the tongue touches the bumpy ridge just behind the top front teeth (alveolar ridge), then releases (e.g. top).
/k/: Back of the tongue touches the soft palate (velum) at the back of your mouth, then releases (e.g. cat).
TIP: For the /t/ sound, aim your tongue tip for the alveolar ridge (about 1 cm behind your top front teeth). This subtle placement makes the /t/ sound distinctly British.
Prefer to watch? Here’s a quick video tutorial where I demonstrate everything:
How to Ensure P, T, and K Are Voiceless
In a British accent, these sounds are voiceless, meaning your vocal folds do not vibrate. Instead, there should be a tiny puff of air released with each sound.
Test this:
Cut a small piece of paper (about 6 cm x 3 cm).
Hold it 2–3 cm in front of your lips.
Say: pen, top, cat.
If the paper moves forward with each T, P and K sound, you’re releasing enough air. If not, practise until you feel and hear the puff of air.
I demonstrate this technique in the video above.
Practise P, T, and K in Words
Here are some examples to practise:
/p/ Words
Beginning: pen
Middle: open
End: stop
/t/ Words
Beginning: to
Middle: better
End: not
/k/ Words
Beginning: can
Middle: biker
End: back
Phonetic Symbols for P, T, and K
In dictionaries, you’ll see these sounds represented phonetically as:
/p/ for p
/t/ for t
/k/ for k
Practise Sentences with P, T, and K
Try these practice sentences to refine your pronunciation:
She has a powerful presence. Her policies are poignant and embarrass her predecessors.
Having nearly tripped on the stones, Tom tiptoed tentatively into the stream of water.
The collapse in the economy needs careful consideration – the cause needs to be clarified.
Start slowly and clearly, then increase your speed while keeping the sounds crisp.
Want to Master Every British English Sound?
If you’re serious about refining your pronunciation, my British English Pronunciation Roadmap eBook is your ultimate guide.
What’s inside?
324 pages of expert techniques
12 hours of audio for practice
Step-by-step guidance for every sound in Standard Southern British English
Learn more about the eBook here
FAQs About P, T, and K in a British Accent
Why don’t my P, T, and K sound clear in English?
You might not be releasing enough air. Try the paper test above to check for a puff of air after each sound.
What’s the difference between voiced and voiceless consonants?
P, T, and K are voiceless (no vocal cord vibration). Their voiced counterparts are B, D, and G.
How long does it take to master these sounds?
With daily practice, many learners see improvement in 2–4 weeks.
Final Thoughts
P, T, and K are deceptively simple sounds, but pronouncing them with precision can transform your accent.
Focus on correct tongue and lip placement.
Practise the paper test to ensure a soft puff of air.
Use the example words and sentences daily.
With consistent practice, you’ll sound more natural and confident in no time.
Ashley Howard is a UK-based voice coach with 18+ years of experience helping professionals and individuals develop clear, authentic, and confident communication.